Are you looking to establish a business in Minnesota and need to get a DBA (Doing Business As) name for your venture? You’re in the right place! A DBA, also known as a Trade Name, Fictitious Name, or Assumed Name, allows you to conduct business under a name that’s different from your legal business name. This can be advantageous for branding, marketing, and overall business operations.
In Minnesota, if you’re willing to use a different name other than the legal name for your business, you must file the DBA (Doing Business As). The public (specifically your potential customers) knows your business by its registered legal name. Instead of using your formal business name, you may use the trade name or DBA in marketing and sales to reach a wider audience.
Minnesota, popularly known as The North Star State, has some regulations when it comes to filing your DBA name. However, the regulations can vary depending on the type of business structure you have. In this article, I will share the basic steps to get a DBA Name in Minnesota.
What is DBA Name in Minnesota?
Whenever you form an LLC or any business structure, you must get a name for it. Every company has a legitimate name. For instance, a partnership or sole proprietorship might function under the legal name of the company’s owner or owners. The name specified in the Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization may be used by any business entity, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and others.
However, there are situations when you may decide against using your company’s registered legal name in Minnesota. This is due to a variety of factors. For instance, the legal name of your company can be unrelated to it or no longer accurately describe it. Or perhaps you want a new name without altering your documentation for incorporation or registration.
If you intend to run your business in Minnesota under a name other than your personal name or an existing corporate name, you must submit a DBA name with Minnesota state regardless of the type of business entity you have incorporated as (single proprietor, partnership, corporation, or LLC).
No restrictions exist on how many DBA names you can use to do business. However, each DBA name must be filed with the state where you conduct business. This is necessary because the general public has a legal right to know whether a specific individual or company is operating under a name other than their legal name.
In Minnesota, changing your business name is a risky factor. It can bring positive and negative effects on your business. Hence, before you file and change your legal business name, analyze all the risks and advantages.
–LLCBuddy Editorial Team
How to Get a DBA in Minnesota
To get a DBA in Minnesota, you must first check if any other business is already using the name before filing a DBA in Minnesota. You can then submit the Minnesota business name reservation form after it has been confirmed that no other company is already using the chosen name. You can search the Minnesota Government Records Inquiry System and confirm that the name you chose is not already in use. However, getting a DBA is not mandatory in many states. If you open an LLC in Minnesota, you must check with Minnesota Secretary of State whether you need to file DBA or not.
Guideline for choosing a DBA name
You must choose a name to register, which is the crucial step. There are a few straightforward LLC name guidelines to follow (if you’re forming an LLC) while choosing a name in Minnesota.
- In Minnesota, fictional names cannot be the same or similar to one another. A DBA cannot deceive the public by appearing to be confusingly similar to any other business name.
- Unless the company has been incorporated as an LLC or corporation, a DBA name cannot contain a corporate indication, such as Corp or LLC, or any other words that imply an entity type. This will stop a lone proprietor from passing for a legitimate corporation.
- Any banking-related words without a letter from the Minnesota Banking Commissioner’s Office, or any insurance-related words without a letter from the Minnesota Minnesota Department of Commerce, Insurance Division.
- Any words that could confuse your corporation with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
- A professional designation in the name (i.e., engineering, attorney) without a copy of the license of one officer/member or a letter from the governing agency allowing the use of the name without licensing.
- Any words that indicate or imply that the corporation is engaged in a business that is not authorized by law to pursue.
How Can You Tell if a DBA Name in Minnesota is available?
Once you have selected a name that complies with the requirements mentioned above, there are a number of methods you can use to find out if the name is open for registration. One simple strategy is to look up other companies in Minnesota with the same name on Google.
It is a simple technique to clear out any already taken names, even though it may not guarantee that the name you want to register is accessible. As it is likely that you will require a website domain that matches your business name, you may also check to see whether the web domain for that name is accessible. For example, you can check Minnesota LLC name search guide to see how you can find the availability of your desired LLC name in Minnesota.
Before you may register your Trade Name in Minnesota, you must have used it for business purposes. Therefore, you must use a Trade Name as soon as possible if you want to register and protect it in Minnesota.
Register the Minnesota DBA Name
Once you have established that the name is available for registration, you must finish the file using the forms your county has provided. You must register your DBA name in the county where you intend to conduct business. In most Minnesota counties, the following fundamental information is needed-
- Name of the company, its phone number, city, state, and street address
- The organization type under which the business is incorporated
- List the partners’ names and addresses (if applicable)
- Describe the items, services, or business that will be delivered under the Fictitious Name in the registration form
- Use of the Fictitious Name in the marketplace
- Both the classification type and number
- Make a mark (pick Trade Name)
- Date and state of the first use of the trade name
- When the Trade Name first appeared in Minnesota
- Application’s name, title, signature, and date Email address
Submitting the Minnesota DBA Name Application
To file the Minnesota DBA Name, you must apply to the Minnesota Secretary of State. In Minnesota, you can file the DBA name in three methods, online, by mail, and in person filing.. The cost of filing the Fictitious Name (DBA name) in Minnesota is $50 for online filing and $30 for offline filing.
- Online filing: For online filing, check the Minnesoota Secreatry of State. There, look for the “Assumed Names” section. You will get the registration form.
- Offline filing: For filing offline, you must send the downloaded PDF form or drop it off in person at the Minnesota Secretary of State – Business Services, Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building, 60 Empire Drive, Suite 100, St Paul, MN 55103
Using the Minnesota Trade Name
Three “specimens” demonstrating the Trade Name used must be submitted to Minnesota Secretary of State. The following are some instances of acceptable specimens:
- Business cards
- Booklets,
- Flyers,
- Labels, and
- Stickers
How to Renew a Trade Name in Minnesota
You can renew your DBA name after a stipulated time. In most states, the renewal of the DBA name follows the same process as filing a fresh DBA name. You need to get the DBA renewal form, fill it up with the correct information, and submit it to the state online or offline. The renew time for DBA name filing is one year in Minnesota.
How to Change a Trade Name
You can change your Trade Name (DBA or Fictitious Name) by applying to the Minnesota SOS. The process is similar. You can search for the name you want to have after changing the old Trade Name. If the name is available, make sure it follows other guidelines. You can reserve your DBA name for one year; after then, you can change or renew your DBA if needed through the Minnesota SOS.
FAQs
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Why Minnesota DBA Filing is So Important
One of the primary reasons why Minnesota DBA filing is so important is to establish and protect your business’s identity. By registering a DBA name with the state, you not only ensure that your chosen business name is unique and not already in use but also provide a level of legal protection for your brand. This can help prevent other businesses from using a similar name and potentially causing confusion among customers.
Additionally, having a registered DBA name can help build credibility and trust with customers and partners. It shows that your business is legitimate and operating in compliance with state regulations. This can be especially important for businesses looking to establish a strong presence in the Minnesota market and attract new customers.
For businesses operating in multiple states, having a DBA filing in Minnesota can also help streamline operations and ensure compliance with state laws. By registering your DBA name in each state where you do business, you can avoid potential legal issues and fines for operating without the proper documentation.
Furthermore, having a registered DBA name can make it easier for your business to access certain benefits and opportunities. For example, some banks may require a DBA name to open a business bank account, and certain vendors or partners may request proof of a registered DBA name before entering into a business relationship. By having your Minnesota DBA filing in order, you can ensure that your business is ready to take advantage of various opportunities that may arise.
In conclusion, Minnesota DBA filing is an essential step for any business looking to establish a strong presence in the state and protect its brand identity. By complying with state regulations and registering your DBA name, you can build credibility with customers, protect your brand, and ensure that your business is operating in compliance with state laws. Don’t overlook the importance of Minnesota DBA filing – it could make all the difference for your business’s success.
In Conclusion
A DBA name in Minnesota is the best way to update your business name. Unlike the registered legal business name, you can have as many as DBA names. You can use your new assumed name as soon as the state has processed your filing, and getting one is a rather simple process. Whether you have an LLC or any other business structure, filing a DBA name is helpful for your business upgradation anytime.